Ticksit dispenser



Nov. 29, 1932. M. MACDONALD TICKET DISPENSER INVENTOR. M Zl/"dOC/ffiawdo 72a2d BY 2 Sheets-Sheet l M 1? g ATTORNEYS Filed Oct. v12, 1928Patented Nov. 29, 1932 UNITED STATES MURDOCK MACDONALD, E CLEVELAND,OHIO TICKET DISPENSER Application filed October 12, 1928. Serial No.312,070.

The present application relates, as indi cated, to ticket dispensers,and more particularly to a device for use by bus and street P carconductors on runs of such length as to be zoned. The primary object ofthe invention is to provide a device of the class described which shallbe extremely simple in its operation and inexpensive to produce, andwhich, in its operation, will provide for the O delivery to thepassenger of a ticket showing on its face the zone Within which heboarded the vehicle and the price which he paid for the ticket, andwhich will leave in the box a stub which will likewise show the zonewithin which each passenger boarded the vehicle and the price which hepaid for his ticket. Further objects will appear as the descriptionproceeds. To the acco1nplish- 26 ment of the foregoing and related ends,saidinvention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully describedand particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which theprin ciple of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser; Fig. 2 is a plan viewthereof, the dispenser being mounted in a supporting bracket; Fig. 3 isa vertical section through the device taken substantially upon the line3-3 of Fig. 2, the device having been removed from the bracket; Fig. 4is a section similar to that of Fig. 3, the tickets having been removedfrom the box, and the box being open; Fig. 5 is an elevation taken fromthe right-hand side of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a detail;Fig. 7 is an elevation of a ticket adapted to be used in the dispenser;8 is a view showing a ticket after it has been torn to producethepassengers check and the retained stub; and Fig. 9 is a fragmentary viewtaken from the left hand sideof Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen that Ihave provided a box 11 which is preferably formed of tickets. In thisembodiment, then, the eleof stamped sheet metal. and which is providedwith end walls 12 to which are secured projections 13 elongated in thedirection of height of the box 11 and tapered from their upper to theirlower ends A pair of apertured ears let project upwardly from theopposite ends of the box 11 and a shaft 15 is journaled in the aperturesof said ears, said shaft being threaded as at 16 adjacent its one end. Asleeve or tube 17 is mounted upon said shaft 15 and has secured theretoan element 18 which is internally threaded for cooperation with thethreaded portion 16of the shaft 15. The element 18 may be considered asa part of the tube 17, since the same is rigidly secured thereto. At theend of the shaft 15 opposite the threaded portion 16 there is mounted aknurled knob 19 for rotating said shaft. i

As will be clearly seen from an inspection of Figs. 3 and 4:, the box 11is formed with an open side, and at its lower end, the wall of said boxis punched out and rolled as at 20 to form bearings for a pin 21 throughthe medium of which there is hinged to said lower end a plate 22. Acoiled spring 23 on said pin 21 urges the plate 22 toward the positionillustrated in Fig. 4. At its free end, said plate 22 is formed toprovide a pair of ears 241- in which is mounted a pin 25 through themedium of which there is hinged to said free end of the plate 22, aplate 26. A coiled spring 27 is mounted on the pin 25 and its oppositeends 28 and 29 bear respectively upon 85 the plates 26 and 22 tending toforce said plates into the relative positions illustrated in Fig. 4:.The free end of the plate 26 is rebent as at 30 for a purpose later tobedescribed. The upper edge of the box 11 is co turned upwardly to form astraight tearing edge as at 31.

As will be apparent, the box 11 is long enough to accommodate aplurality of pads of tickets, and the above described arrangement isduplicated to form a composite backing element for each of said pads.That is, in the embodiment herein illustrated, the box is of such extentas to accommodate six pads ments 20 to 30 inclusive are duplicated sixtimes.

To each of the plates 22 there is rigidly secured a latch member 32which is formed adj acent its free end with a lateral projection 32 andwith a second lateral flange 66. Corresponding to each of the members 32and registering therewith, there is formed in the rear wall of the boxll, a vertical slit 33 which communicates at its upper end with ahorizontal slit 34. The slit 33 is of such width as to permit thepassage of the flange 66 when the latch member 32 is sprung slightly tothe left as viewed in Fig. 1. The projection 32 forms a thumb pieceagainst which pressure may be exerted in order to spring the latchmember and to force the composite backing plate 2226 into the positionshown in Fig. 4. As will be readily seen, when the backing plate 22-26is forced into the position shown in Fig. 3, the flange 66 springs intoengagement with the rear wall of the box 11 to hold said backing platein such position.

In order to retain pads of tickets 35 in the box, I have providedanchoring means for each of said backing plate units. Said means aremost clearly shown in Fig. 6 and comprise a plate 36 of relativelyresilient material brazed to the base plate of the latch member 32 andhaving secured thereto a pair of spaced upstanding posts 37. Theopposite ends of said resilient member 36 are bent upwardly as at 38 andare adapted normally to assume positions substantially parallel to theposts 37. As is clearly shown in Fig. 6, the members 38 are separated byboth of said posts 37 and project beyond the free ends of said posts. Ina plane immediately beyond the plane of the free ends of said post-s,said members 38 are bent outwardly to form vprojections 39, and beyondsaid projections, said members are bent inwardly to form what may betermed cam surfaces 40. Each of the ticket pads 35 is formed adjacentits one end with a pair of spaced apertures 41. The posts 3'? are spacedapart a distance a trifle less than the distance between said apertures,and the outermost surfaces of the members 38 are spaced apart a distancevery slightly greater than the distance between the outermost edges ofthe apertures 41.

Upon the sleeve 17 there are mounted a plurality of box-like elements42, equal in number to the backing plates 22 26. Each of said elements42 is formed with aligned apertures 43 in its opposite side flanges 44,and said apertures are of such size that, when said elements 42 arethreaded onto said sleeve 17, the sleeve fits snugly within saidapertures. A slightly resilient element 45 is bent to lie within each ofsaid elements 42, being curved about the sleeve 17 within. its elementand fitting snugly between said sleeve and the interior of saidrespective element 42. One end 47 of each of said members 45 theprojects outwardly from its element 42 and extends downwardly along thefront surface of the box 11 to a point adjacent the upturned edge 31,where said end 47 is bent upwardly to form a foot adapted to bearagainst the surface of the tickets in its respective pad 35. Said footis formed to provide a sharpened end 48. The opposite end 49 of each ofsaid members extends downwardly and rearwardly out of its res Jectiveelement 42, and a leaf spring 50 is mounted within each of said elementsto bear against said end 49 of its respective member 45. The spring 50tends to hold the end 49 in contact with the adjacent surface of the box11, and tends also to rotate its element 42 in a clockwise direction asviewed in 4. Since such rotation is prevented by the engagement of theedge 51 of the element 42 with the arm 47 of the member 45, the resultof the pressure of the spring 50 is to increase the friction betweennewer? and the side flanges 44 of each element 42.

Of course the tickets of each pad are identical with each other, exceptthat serial numbers may be applied thereto, and the tickets of thevarious pads are identical to each other except in the valuation indicia52 imprinted t iereon. Thus all of the tickets carry valuation marks 52which vary among the various pads, and duplicate series of indicia asindi cated at 53. In the present instance, it will be seen that themarkings 53 indicate fare Zones. When the device is operated, a ticketis torn off against the tearing edge 31, thus dividing the ticket alongthe line 54 (see Fig. 8) into a retained stub 55 and a check 56 fordelivery to the passenger. As the ticket is torn, the foot 48 causes theformation of a tab 55 on the stub and a corresponding notch 56 in thecheck.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide novel meansfor supporting the ticket dispenser in a convenient position foroperation by the conductor or driver of the vehicle. To this end, I haveprovided a resilient clamping member 57 comprising a circumscribingportion 58 adapted to surround a post or the like, and terminating atits ends in parallel arms adapted to enclose, adjacent their ends, aprojection 59 upon a bracket member proper. Said projection and saidarms are formed with apertures which may be brought into alignment forthe reception of a screw 60 onto which there may be threaded a wing nut61 for tightening the clamp upon the post and upon the projection 59.The bracket member proper is provided with spaced arms 62 which areformed adjacent their free ends and in their facing surfaces \ithvertical lots 63 tapered from their upper to their lower ends for thereception and accommodation of the projections 13 on the end walls 12 ofthe box 11. Said bracket membe is reinforced by a rib 64, and the n nowin

arms 62thereof are oflset downwardly as indicated at 65 for conveniencevof use of the box. 7 V

When the dispenser first put into use, the bracket 57-434 is hun in asuitable place. By pressing upon the respective thumb pieces 32 of thevarious latch members 32, all of the backing plates can be moved to theposition illustrated in Fig. 4. A pad of tickets 35 is then hung on eachof the anchor units 36 by forcing the posts 3'? andmembers 38 throughthe apertures 41 of the pads. It will readily be seen that, as the padsare forced into position, the'surfaces 40 of the members 38 act as camsto cause the members 38 to be flexed inwardly to permit the projections39 to pass through the apertures 41; and that, when the pad has beenpressed home, the members 38 will spring back substantially into theirnormal positions, with the projections 39 overlying the upper surface ofthe pad. Thereafter, the outer ends of the tickets in each pad may beslipped under the rebent portion 30 of the plate 26, and the backingplates 2226 maybe pressed intothe position shown in Fig. 3. i

It will be readily realized that, in the use of the embodiment shown,for instance, if one pad of five or ten cent tickets is used up in asingle run, the presumption is that only two or three of the thirtycenttickets would be sold during that run. Consequently, the moreexpensive tickets will stay in the dispenser for a relatively long timein the usual use of the device, and in the absence of some provisionsuch as the guard 30, the outer ends of the expensive tickets probablywould become wrinkled, frayed, and torn before a whole pad was used. Inthe use of the dispenser, the conductor or driver will probably freefrom the guards 30 the outer ends of about as many tickets as he expectsto use during a single run.

The box 11 is hung in the bracket 59, either in the position shown inFig. or in the reverse position, as convenience may dictate. hen the runis started, the knob 19 is rotated to move the tube 1? to such aposition that the foot 48 of the member correspond;- ing to thefive-cent ticket par 35 overlies on said pad the numeral 1 under theword Zones; If all of the elements 42 are properly located, the foot 48of each of the elements45 will overlie the numeral 1 under the wordZones on its respective ticket pad. However,the tickets which arenormally used in devices of this type must necessarily be very inexpensive, and often the printing thereon is out of alignment, or theholes 41 therein may be punched in an improper position. Consequently itmay happen that, when the foot 48 corresponding to the five-cent padisproperly located, the foot 48 corresponding to the fifteen-cent pad andthat correspond ing to the twenty-five-cent pad may be improperlylocated, While the feetcorresponding to the remaining pads may be inproper positions. Because of the peculiar arrangement=0f the elements42,,it will, in such a case, be possible to slide along the tube 17 theelements'42 corresponding to the fifteen and twenty-five cent pads tobring them into proper locations without disturbing the settings of theremaining'elements 42. a Each of the elements 42 is frictionally engagedwith the sleeve 17,. and the friction, is such that the elements 42 willnormally remain stationary with respect to the sleeve 17, but that, bymanual manipulation, any one of said elements may be moved with respectto said sleeve 17 without affecting any one of the other elements.

, As will be obvious, the operator of the device will operate the knob19 as he enters fare Zone 2 to move the feet 48 into registry-with thenumerals 2 on the various tickets, and will correspondingly move theelements 42 each time he enters a new fare zone.

In order to prevent interference with proper tearing by stubs ofpreviously torn tickets, the device is so arranged that, after a tickethas been torn, the plate 22 maybe swung inwardly about its pivot 21beyond the position illustrated in Fig. 3, whereby the torn edge ofthecheck is drawn within the box 11. Upon releasing the plate 22,,thespring 23forcesthe same back to the position illustrated in Fig. 3 wherea further move,- ment is arrested by engagement of the flange 66 withthe rear wall ofthe box 11.

' Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change, being made as regards' themechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any ofthefollowing claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed. 1

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A ticket dispensercomprising a box, means in said box for holding aplurality of pads; of tickets, each of said pads projecting from saidbox, the tickets of all of said pads bearing the same series of indicia,a plurality of elements mounted on said box for movement longitudinallyrelative thereto, one of said elements being cooperable with each ofsaid pads and with said indicia, and means operable to shift all'of saidelements in unison.

"2. A ticket dispenser comprising a box, means in said box for holding aplurality of pads of tickets, each of said'pads projecting from saidbox, the tickets of all of said pads bearin the same series of indicia,and a plurality of elements mounted on said box for movementlongitudinally relative thereto, one of said elements being cooperablewith each of said pads and with said indicia,

s aid elements being dependently operable and independently adjustable.

3. A ticket dispenser comprising a box,

means in said box for holding a plurality of pads of tickets, each ofsaid pads projecting from said box, the tickets of all of said padsbearing the same series of indicia, a plurality of elements mounted onsaid box for movement longitudinally relative thereto, one of saidelements being cooperable with each of said pads and with said indicia,and means operable to shift all of said elements in unison, saidelements being adjust able independently with respect to each other andto said means. 4. The combination with a plurality of pads of tickets ofdifferent values but carrying one set of common indioia, of a boxadapted to hold all of said pads in side-byside relation, said padsprojecting from said box, a plurality of pointers mounted on said boxfor movement longitudinally thereof, one of said pointers being adaptedto engage each of said pads in registry with said indicia, and means formoving said pointers in unison.

5. A ticket dispenser comprising a box adapted to receive'a plurality ofpads of tickets, a threaded shaft rotatably mounted on said box, aplurality of elements cooperable Withsaid respective pads, and meansconnecting said elements to said shaft whereby rotation of said shaftcauses movement of said elements. 7

6. A ticket dispenser comprising a box adapted to receive a plurality ofpads of tickets, a threaded shaft rotatably mounted on said box, aninternally threaded tube engaged on said shaft, and an element adaptedto cooperate with one of said pads mounted on said tube for movementtherewith.

7. A ticket dispenser comprising a box adapted to receive a plurality ofpads of tickets, a threaded shaft rotatably mounted on said box, aninternally threaded tube engaged onsaid shaft, an element adapted tocooperate with one of said pads mounted on said tube for movementtherewith, and means preventing rotation of said tube.

8. A ticket dispenser comprising a box adapted to receive a plurality ofpads of tickets, a threaded shaft rotatably mounted on said box, aninternally threaded tube engaged on said shaft, and a plurality ofelements cooperable with said respective pads mounted on said tube formovement therewith.

9; A ticket dispenser comprising a box adapted to receive a plurality ofpads of tickets, athreaded shaft rotatably mounted on said box, aninternally threaded tube engaged onsaid shaft, a plurality of elementscooperable with said respective pads mounted'on said tube, and frictionmeans normally holding said elements stationary with respect to saidtube, but permitting adjustment thereof with respect to said tube.

10. A ticket dispenser comprising a box adapted to receive a pluralityof pads of tickets, said tickets projecting out of said box, a threadedshaft rotatably mounted on said box and extending transversely of saidpads, an internally threaded tube engaged on said rod, a plurality ofelements having apertured side flanges mounted on said tube and adaptedto cooperate with said respective pads, said tube passing through theflange apertures of all of said elements, a resilient member for each ofsaid elements, each of said members being bent to overlie said tubewithin its respective element and being formed at its one end with afoot adapted to engage its respective ticket pad, the opposite end ofeach of said members being adapted to engage said box, and a leaf springin each of said elements and bearing 8n said opposite end of itsrespective mem- 11. In a ticket box adapted to receive a pad of ticketshaving spaced apertures therethrough', the combination which comprisesmeans for anchoring said tickets in place comprising a pair of postsadapted to be received in said ticket apertures, and resilient meanscooperable therewith and adapted to enter said apertures therewith.

12. Ina ticket box adapted to receive a pad of tickets having spacedapertures therethrough, the combination which comprises means foranchoring said tickets in place comprising a pair of posts adapted to bereceived in said ticket apertures, and a pair of resilient membersnormally spaced apart a distance greater than that between the remoteedges of said apertures adapted to enter said apertures with said posts.

13. In a ticket box adapted to receive a pad of tickets having spacedapertures therethrough, the combination which comprises means foranchoring said tickets in place comprising a pair of posts adapted to bereceived in said ticket apertures, and a pair of resilient membersmounted adjacent said posts and extending beyond the free ends of saidposts, said members being spaced apart, at their bases, a distancesubstantially equal to the distance between the remote edges of saidaperture, and said members being formed, immediately beyond the freeends of said posts, with outward projections.

14. A ticket dispenser comprising a box open on its one side, means insaid box adapted to anchor therein one end of a pad of tickets, and abacking leaf hinged to said box and adapted to close said open sidethereof and to support such ticket pad, said leaf being rebent at itsfree end and said rebent poation being adapted to overlie such ticket15. A ticket dispenser comprising a box open on its one side, means insaid box adapted to anchor therein one end of each of a plurality ofpads of tickets, means on said box for dispensing said tickets and meansfor substantially closing said open side, said last-mentioned meansbeing arranged to permit removal and insertion of any one pad Withoutdisturbing the remaining pads.

16. A ticket dispenser comprising a box open on its one side, means insaid box adapted to anchor therein one end of each of a plurality ofpads of tickets, a backing leaf for each of said pads hinged to said boxand adapted to support its pad in contact with said open side, and latchmeans for holding said leaves against opening movement.

17. A ticket dispenser comprising a box open on its one side, means insaid box adapted to anchor therein one end of each of a plurality ofpads of tickets, a backing leaf for each of said pads hinged to said boxand adapted to support its pad in contact With said open side, andindependent latch means for holding said leaves individuallyagainstopening movement.

18. A ticket dispenser comprising a box open on its one side, means insaid box adapted to anchor therein one end of each of a plurality ofpads of tickets, a backing leaf for each of said pads hinged to said boxand adapted to support its pad in contact'with said open side, and latchmeans for holding said leaves against opening movement While permittingmovement of said leaves in a closing direction beyond normal closedposition.

19. In a ticket box, the combination Which comprises a bracket adaptedto be secured to a support, said bracket comprising a clamp, and abifurcated holder hinged to said support, the arms of said holder beingformed in their adjacent faces With slots tapered from end to end; and aticket dispenser comprising a box provided on its opposite ends Withprojections elongated in the direction of height of said box and taperedfrom end to end, said box being adapted to fit between said arms, andsaid projections being adapted to enter and to fit said slots.

Signed by me this 10th day of October,

MURDOCK MACDONALD.

